Selectively lockable floating snowplow mount

ABSTRACT

A plow adapter for use in conjunction with a vehicle allows the plow to be alternately used in two modes of operation: floating or rigid. The adapter comprises illustratively first and second members each having one end pivotally connected, respectively, to the plow frame and the vehicle frame, the other ends of the members are slidably engaged to permit floating operation in which the plow follows the contours of the road surface. In addition, one of the members is provided with a releasable locking member which can be adapted to fix the relative positions of the first and second members with respect to one another, thereby permitting rigid operation in which downward pressure exerted through the adapter forces the plow against the road surface for such operations as scraping.

United States Patent Chiarolanza et a].

[ 51 Feb. 8, 1972 [54] SELECTIVELY LOCKABLE FLOATING SNOWPLOW MOUNT [22]Filed: Mar. 25, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 22,584

[52] U.S. Cl. ..37/42 R, 37/41, 37/42 VL,

172/805 [51] Int. Cl ..E0lh 5/06 [58] Field ofSearch ..37/1,29,35,41,42, 44, 46,

2,139,625 12/1938 Pruss.... ....37/42 R 2,231,268 2/1941 Hoare ....37/42R 2,713,220 7/1955 Muenchow ..37/42 R 3,197,188 7/1965 Moore ..172/7943,041,753 7/1962 Koloseus ....172/683 3,355,825 12/1967 Weeks ..37/42 RPrimary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-R. E. SuterAttorney-Michael J. Urbano [57] ABSTRACT A plow adapter for use inconjunction with a vehicle allows the plow to be alternately used in twomodes of operation: floating or rigid. The adapter comprisesillustratively first and second members each having one end pivotallyconnected, respectively, to the plow frame and the vehicle frame, theother ends of the members are slidably engaged to permit floatingoperation in which the plow follows the contours of the road surface. Inaddition, one of the members is provided with a releasable lockingmember which can be adapted to fix the relative positions of the firstand second members with respect to one another, thereby permitting rigidoperation in which downward pressure exerted through the adapter forcesthe plow against the road surface for such operations as scrapmg.

13 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENIED FEB a 1972 3 '640 005 sum 1 0MGENEROSO CH/AROLANZA JOSEPH CH/AROLANZA ATTORNEY INVENTORS man-15m em:1640.005

SHEET 2 (If 4 F/GIZ HYDRAULIC P RETURN LINE RAM DOWN I L 1 RAM UP I04DOUBLE CONTROL VALVE 88 54 R H6. 3c 1 INVENTORS: GENEROSO CH/AROLANZAJOSEPH CH/AROLANZA BY).z fi

ATTORNEY PATENTEU FEB 8 I972 SHEET 3 OF 4 FIG. 3B

HWENTORSZ GENE/P050 'CH/AROLANZA Y JOSEPH CH/AROLANZA W ,4. am,

ATTORNEY PATENTEU FEB 8l972 SHEET l 0F 4 F/G. 4A

B 4 m F GENEROSO CH/AROLANZA 'NVENTORS- JOSEPH CH/AROLANZA ATTORNEYBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to plows for use inconjunction with vehicles and, more particularly, to a snow plow adapterwhich permits the plow to be alternately used in either a rigid orfloating mode of operation.

Conventional snow plows, and plows in general, have for decadesfunctioned almost exclusively in two modes of operation: rigid orfloating. In the latter mode the plow follows the contours of the roador other surface being plowed and intentional lifting of the plow fromthe surface, as when the plowing operation is completed or to avoid asurface obstruction, is accomplished by chain lift mechanisms controlledfrom within the vehicle to which the plow is attached. The chain by itsnature, of course, does not permit downward pressure to be exerted onthe plow blade for operations such as scraping. In such circumstances,the prior art has resorted to manually inserting rigid, immovablemembers between the vehicle frame and the plow to effect the aforesaidrigid mode of operation. Prior art plows are, therefore, not readilyconverted from floating to rigid operation and vice versa. The procedurerequired to effect such conversion is cumbersome, time consuming andexpensive and often necessitates returning the vehicle to a garage orstation, especially when inclement cold weather encountered in winterseasons, or wet weather in warmer seasons, renders outdoor conversionphysically intolerable or inconvenient.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to be able toquickly and easily convert a snow plow from operation in a rigid mode tooperation in a floating mode and vice versa.

It is another object of this invention to effect such conversion withoutrequiring that the vehicle driver leave the cab of his vehicle or returnsame to a garage or similar station.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a plowadapter that is versatile, structurally strong and readily fabricated atrelatively low cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects are accomplished inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a plowadapter for use in conjunction with a vehicle and comprising first andsecond members each having one end pivotally connected, respectively, tothe plow frame and to the vehicle frame. The other ends of the membersare slidably engaged to pennit floating operation, i.e., as the plowfollows the undulations in the road or other surface, the first memberslides up and down in a slot in the second member. To effect a rigidmode of operation, a releasable locking member, located in a channel inthe second member, is moved to block the slot therein, thereby causingthe first and second members to be fixed relative to one another.Moreover, the position of the second member is fixed with respect to thevehicle frame by means of a hydraulic ram, thus also fixing the relativepositions of the first member with respect to the vehicle frame. Withthe relative positions thus fixed, inward motion of the ram plungerexerts downward pressure on the plow blade through the first and secondmembers, thereby effecting a rigid mode of operation in which the bladeis urged against the road surface for such functions as road scrapingand the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The above and other objects of theinvention, together with its various features and advantages, can beeasily understood from the following more detailed discussion, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic of an illustrative control mechanism for use inconjunction with the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a partial side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with theadapter in a rigid mode;

FIG. 3B is a partial top view of the adapter of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a partial end view of the adapter of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a partial side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with theadapter in a floating mode; and

FIG. 4B is a partial top view of the adapter of FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Turning now to the perspective view of FIG. 1,there is shown a plow adapter 10 connected'between a rigid frame 12 onthe front of a vehicle, typically ajeep, and the horizontal baseplate 14of a plow blade 16. The blade 16 is pivoted at 18 on the baseplate 14which is in turn pivoted (not shown) for vertical motion on theunderside of the vehicle. The blade 16 has vertical ribs 28, 33 and 32to which is pivotally connected at points 29, 30 and 31, the crossbar 20ofa semicircular yoke 22. The blade 16 is rotated about point 18 bymeans of a pair (only one is shown) of hydraulic rams 24 connectedbetween the forward end of the yoke 22 and the rearward portion of frame14. For simplicity, the pump, valve and other control mechanism whichwould be coupled to outlet 26 in ram 24 are not shown inasmuch as suchapparatus is well known to the worker skilled in the art. Thus,contracting ram 24 (and simultaneously expanding the ram not shown)pivots the blade 16 to the left. Similarly, expanding ram 24 pivotsblade 16 to the right.

The blade 16 is of the conventional type having vertical support ribs28, 33 and 32 welded or otherwise connected between horizontal ribs 34and 36. In addition, heavy duty coil springs 38 and 40 are connectedbetween upper rib 34 and forwardly directed rigid appendages 42 and 44on yoke 22. The forward torque of the blade about points 29, 30 and 31extends the springs which thus limit the forward tilt of the blade.Moreover, the blade 16 is provided at its bottom with a pair (only oneshown) of resilient foot members 46 which absorb shock caused by thecontact of the blade with the road or other surface being plowed.

With reference now to the more detailed drawings shown in FIGS. 3A-3Cand FIGS. 4A-4B, the adapter 10 comprises a first substantiallyvertical, elongated rectangular member 50 pivoted at 52 to the baseplate14 and a second elongated horizontal member 54 (U-shaped pivoted on apair of protruding plates 56 on the front frame 12. The two members 50and 54 are disposed transverse to one another and slidably engaged asfollows: member 54 has a slot 58 adapted to receive member 50 which inturn is provided with a slot 60 adapted to receive a rod 62 carried byholes in the sides 64 and 65 of member'54 (see FIG. 3C). A hydraulic ram66 is pivotally connected to both the member 54 via a rod 68 extendingthrough the sides 64 and 65 thereof and to the rigid frame 12 at 70(FIGS. 3A and 4A).

In a rigid mode of operation, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, ram 66 isextended so that rod 62 is at the top of slot 60. Then, by means ofcable 72 (which extends to the cab of the vehicle) the operator manuallyslides forward locking member 74, illustratively a slug in the shape ofa rectangular parallelopiped, which is carried by a channel 76 inhorizontal member 54. The locking member 74 thereby substantially fixesthe relative positions of the members 50 and 54 with respect to oneanother. Consequently, member 50 can no longer slide in slot 58 andcontraction of ram 66 exerts downward pressure through members 54, 74and 50 to baseplate l4 and plow blade 16 to effect operations such asscraping. In fact, this mode is possible whether the vehicle is drivenin forward or reverse motion. Alternately, expansion of ram 66 in thismode causes the plow blade to lift off the road surface as when the plowis not in use.

It is, of course, to be understood that the position of locking member74 can be controlled either hydraulically or electrically (e.g., by aram or solenoid, respectively, located in member 54) as well as manuallyas described above.

In a floating mode of operation, as shown in 4A and 4B, the lockingmember 74 is retracted in channel 76. Ram 66 is then contracted to pivotmember 54 on the rod in plates 56 to a convenient intermediate positionto permit member 50 to slide up and down invslot 58 as the plow bladel6.follows the undulations of the road or other surface being plowed.

For use in conjunction with a conventional 7% foot plow driven by a jeepor similar vehicle, it has been detennined that fabricating the member50 from one-half inch thick steel and the member 54 from three-eighthsinch thick steel provides more than adequate structural strengthconsistent with low cost. In the adapter constructed, member 50 wasabout 30 inches long, 3 inches wide, with slot 60 being about 1 inchwide and 12 inches long. On the other hand, member 54 was about 16inches long an 4 inches square in cross section, with slot 58 beingabout l inch wide and 7 inches long. Locking member 74 was one-half inchthick steel, 3 inches wide and 7 inches long. These dimensions andmaterials are intended for the purposes of illustration only and are notto be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention. Theparticular dimensions chosen depend upon such factors as the size andweight of the plow.

in effecting the conversion between rigid and floating modes ofoperation, hydraulic ram 66 may be controlled by means of apparatus asshown in FlG. 2. The ram 66 has two input ports 80 and 82 which areconnected to output ports 84 and 86, respectively, of a well knowndouble control valve 88 via oil lines 90 and 92, respectively. Oil ispumped into the valve 88 by hydraulic oil pump 94 through feed line 96and is returned to the pump over return line 98. The internal valves arealternately actuated by spring loaded, T-shaped control arm 100 which ispivoted at 102 and connected via control rod 104 to the interior of thevehicle. To contract the ram, for example, the operator moves rod 104forward, and to expand the ram pulls the rod backward. As with controlrod 72, rod 104 may be moved automatically (e.g., electrically) by meanswell known in the art.

As has become apparent from the foregoing description the operator canreadily control the mode of operation of the plow by means of controlrods 72, and 104 which extend to the interior of the vehicle. Therefore,without having to leave the cab of the vehicle, return to a garage ormechanically add and assemble parts, the plow may be converted from arigid to a floating mode of operation and vice versa.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are merelyillustrative of the many possible specific embodiments which can bedevised to represent application of the principles of the invention.Numerous and varied other arrangements can be devised in accordance withthese principles by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

. What is claimed is:

1. For use in conjunction with a vehicle having a plow and a frame, anadapter comprising a first substantially vertical member having one endpivotally connected to said plow,

a second substantially horizontal member having one end pivotallyconnected to said vehicle frame,

means for slidably engaging the other ends of said first and secondmembers thereby to permit floating operation of said plow, and

means slidable within said second member for releaseably fixing therelative positions of said first and second members with respect to oneanother, thereby to permit rigid operation of said plow.

2. The adapter of claim 1 wherein said plow includes a plow blade and abaseplate connecting said vehicle frame to said plow blade and whereinsaid first member comprises an elongated rectangular member having saidone end pivotally connected to said baseplate and having an elongated,substantially vertical first slot extending therethrough, and

said second member has a second slot extending therethrough to receivesaid first member.

3. The adapter of claim 2 wherein said first and second members aredisposed substantially transverse to one another and wherein saidengaging means comprises a rod carried by said second member andextending through said first slot in said first member.

4. The adapter of claim 3 wherein said second member includes a channeland said releasable fixing means includes a locking member disposed insaid channel and means for moving said locking member along saidchannel.

5. The adapter of claim 4 wherein said channel extends proximately tosaid second slot in said second member so that rigid mode of operationof said plow is attained when said rod is disposed at the end of saidfirst slot and said locking member is positioned to block said secondslot, and a floating mode of operation of said plow is attained whensaid locking member does not block said second slot.

6. The adapter of claim 5 wherein said second member comprises a topmember and a pair of side members attached along opposite sides thereof,said second slot being disposed in said top member, said channel beingformed by a pair of parallel grooves in the interior surfaces of saidside members and said side members each having a hole therein inregistry with one another for carrying said rod.

7. The adapter of claim 6 wherein said locking member comprises asubstantially rectangular parallelepiped member disposed in said groovesand having a width greater than the width of said second slot.

8. The adapter of claim 7 wherein said moving means comprises a cableconnected to said locking memberand extending to the cab of said vehicleto permit actuation by an operator therein.

9. The adapter of claim 5 wherein said releasable fixing means includesa hydraulic ram pivotally connected to said second member and to saidvehicle frame so that with said plow in said rigid mode, contraction ofsaid ram causes downward pressure on said plow blade and expansion ofsaid ram causes said plow blade to lift off the surface being plowed.10. The adapter of claim 9 wherein said ram has a pair of fluid portsand said fixing means further includes a double control valve coupled tosaid ports, a fluid pump for forcing fluid through said valve and intosaid ram, and means for actuating said valve to alternately contract andexpand said ram, said actuating means extending to the cab of saidvehicle to permit actuation by an operator therein.

11. For use in conjunction with a plow driven by a motor vehicle havinga rigid front frame, said plow including a plow blade and a baseplatepivotally connected to said blade to permit rotation thereof about anaxis perpendicular to said plate and pivotally connected to theunderside of said vehicle to permit vertical motion of said plate, anadapter comprising an elongated rectangular substantially vertical firstmember having one end pivotally connected to said baseplate, said memberhaving an elongated substantially rectangular first slot extendingtherethrough at the other end thereof,

an elongated second member disposed transverse to said first member andhaving one end pivotally connected to said vehicle frame, said secondmember comprising a top member and a pair of side members disposed alongopposite sides of said top member, said side members each having anaperture in registry with one another and said top member having in theother end thereof a second slot extending therethrough adapted toreceive said first member, each of said side members having further agroove extending along the interior surfaces thereof to define achannel, said channel extending under said second slot,

means for slidably engaging said first and second members comprising arod disposed in said holes in said side members and extending throughsaid first slot, thereby to permit a floating mode of operation of saidplow, and

means for releaseably fixing the relative positions of said first andsecond members with respect to one another comprising a substantiallyrectangular locking member slidably disposed within said channel andhaving a width greater than the width of said second slot,

ing to the cab of said vehicle.

13. The adapter of claim 12 wherein said ram has a pair of fluid portsand said fixing means further includes a double control valve coupled tosaid ports, a fluid pump for forcing fluid through said valve and intosaid ram, and means for actuating said valve to alternately contract andexpand said ram, said actuating means extending to the cab of saidvehicle to permit actuation by an operator therein.

1. For use in conjunction with a vehicle having a plow and a frame, anadapter comprising a first substantially vertical member having one endpivotally connected to said plow, a second substantially horizontalmember having one end pivotally connected to said vehicle frame, meansfor slidably engaging the other ends of said first and second membersthereby to permit floating operation of said plow, and means slidablewithin said second member for releaseably fixing the relative positionsof said first and second members with respect to one another, thereby topermit rigid operation of said plow.
 2. The adapter of claim 1 whereinsaid plow includes a plow blade and a baseplate connecting said vehicleframe to said plow blade and wherein said first member comprises anelongated rectangular member having said one end pivotally connected tosaid baseplate and having an elongated, substantially vertical firstslot extending therethrough, and said second member has a second slotextending therethrough to receive said first member.
 3. The adapter ofclaim 2 wherein said first and second members are disposed substantiallytransverse to one another and wherein said engaging means comprises arod carried by said second member and extending through said first slotin said first member.
 4. The adapter of claim 3 wherein said secondmember includes a channel and said releasable fixing means includes alocking member disposed in said channel and means for moving saidlocking member along said channel.
 5. The adapter of claim 4 whereinsaid channel extends proximately to said second slot in said secondmember so that rigid mode of operation of said plow is attained whensaid rod is disposed at the end of said first slot and said lockingmember is positioned to block said second slot, and a floating mode ofoperation of said plow is attained when said locking member does notblock said second slot.
 6. The adapter of claim 5 wherein said secondmember comprises a top member and a pair of side members attached alongopposite sides thereof, said second slot being disposed in said topmember, said channel being formed by a pair of parallel grooves in theinterior surfaces of said side members and said side members each havinga hole therein in registry with one another for carrying said rod. 7.The adapter of claim 6 wherein said locking member comprises asubstantially rectangular parallelepiped member disposed in said groovesand having a width greater than the width of said second slot.
 8. Theadapter of claim 7 wherein said moving means comprises a cable connectedto said locking member and extending to the cab of said vehicle topermit actuation by an operator therein.
 9. The adapter of claim 5wherein said releasable fixing means includes a hydraulic ram pivotallyconnected to said second member and to said vehicle frame so that withsaid plow in said rigid mode, contraction of said ram causes downwardpressure on said plow blade and expansion of said ram causes said plowblade to lift off the surface being plowed.
 10. The adapter of claim 9wherein said ram has a pair of fluid ports and said fixing means furtherincludes a double control valve coupled to said ports, a fluid pump forforcing fluid through said valve and into said ram, and means foractuating said valve to alternately contract and expand said ram, saidactuating means extending to the cab of said vehicle to permit actuationby an operator therein.
 11. FOr use in conjunction with a plow driven bya motor vehicle having a rigid front frame, said plow including a plowblade and a baseplate pivotally connected to said blade to permitrotation thereof about an axis perpendicular to said plate and pivotallyconnected to the underside of said vehicle to permit vertical motion ofsaid plate, an adapter comprising an elongated rectangular substantiallyvertical first member having one end pivotally connected to saidbaseplate, said member having an elongated substantially rectangularfirst slot extending therethrough at the other end thereof, an elongatedsecond member disposed transverse to said first member and having oneend pivotally connected to said vehicle frame, said second membercomprising a top member and a pair of side members disposed alongopposite sides of said top member, said side members each having anaperture in registry with one another and said top member having in theother end thereof a second slot extending therethrough adapted toreceive said first member, each of said side members having further agroove extending along the interior surfaces thereof to define achannel, said channel extending under said second slot, means forslidably engaging said first and second members comprising a roddisposed in said holes in said side members and extending through saidfirst slot, thereby to permit a floating mode of operation of said plow,and means for releaseably fixing the relative positions of said firstand second members with respect to one another comprising asubstantially rectangular locking member slidably disposed within saidchannel and having a width greater than the width of said second slot,means for moving said locking member along said channel, said movingmeans being operable from the cab of said vehicle, a hydraulic ramhaving one end pivotally connected to said second member and the otherend pivotally connected to said vehicle frame, means for actuating saidram from the cab of said vehicle to cause said second member to pivotabout its one end.
 12. The adapter of claim 11 wherein said moving meansincludes a cable connected to said locking member and extending to thecab of said vehicle.
 13. The adapter of claim 12 wherein said ram has apair of fluid ports and said fixing means further includes a doublecontrol valve coupled to said ports, a fluid pump for forcing fluidthrough said valve and into said ram, and means for actuating said valveto alternately contract and expand said ram, said actuating meansextending to the cab of said vehicle to permit actuation by an operatortherein.